Minutes - Parks and Recreation Commission - 03/09/2000

Home

Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chair Cook, Commissioners Johns, Asfahl, Droegemueller, Ostmm, and Rolfe. Voting No: None. Case/t2: Review Multi-unit Park Dedication Rates Parks/Utilities Supervisor Boos stated that at the regular Park Commission meeting in February, the Commission requested that a survey be conducted on the cash park dedication rates for multi- family dwellings and apartments. The Commission was presented with a 50-city survey completed in September of 1999. The survey shows that approximately 55% of the cities make no distinction between single-family units and multi-family units for park dedication. In addition, very few cities show a difference between duplexes and townhomes and traditional single-family structures. Commissioner Droegemueller suggested reducing the multi-unit park dedication fee to something that would be more reasonable to the builder, but then charge a special assessment to the property on a yearly basis, for example charge a $400 per unit fee up-front and then assess $10 per apartment unit yearly. Commissioner Rolfe questioned how it would be handled on a long term basis. Commissioner Droegemueller suggested creating a City policy that would be reviewable at any Park Commission meeting or have a per case policy. He explained that people living in apartments will use trails and green space in the area because they do not have a yard so trail maintenance would become very important and justify bringing in more funds to the City. Commissioner Ostrum requested that Staff have the City Attorney review the possibility of charging the special assessment. Commissioner Johns inquired if the multi-unit policy would affect townhomes. Commissioner Droegemueller replied that he was referring to apartments or rental units. Parks/Utilities Supervisor Boos stated that there could be administrative concerns with the special assessment if the property goes through bankruptcy, not paying taxes or change of ownership. Chairperson Cook replied that he would be concerned that the developer would pay the reduced park dedication fee up front and then sell the building to a new owner and then the City never receives the additional funds. He thinks that the City should get the money up front so that recreation needs can be addressed prior to the development being completed. Commissioner Droegemueller stated that he was looking for an alternative because the cost can become overwhelming to a developer. Park and Recreation Commission/March 9, 2000 Page 3 of 8